Our Philosophy

Growth Through Learning

We believe that play, within the context of healthy relationships, is the primary way in which young children grow and mature into happy, productive students ready for a lifetime of learning. In the Early Learning Center (ELC), playful interactions with sensitive adults, their peers and an enriching environment enable children to learn about the world, themselves and each other. As children play, they test their ideas, learn new skills, develop strategies for problem-solving, acquire knowledge and communicate their understanding. As they play, they learn to master their minds, bodies and emotions. This cornerstone of the ELC’s approach to early education is supported by current research on child development. A report by the American Academy of Pediatrics states, “…free and unstructured play is healthy and – in fact – essential for helping children reach important social, emotional, and cognitive developmental milestones as well as helping them manage stress and become resilient.”

Guiding Principles:

ELC teachers are guided by a set of four core principles that inform educational practices, curriculum planning and decision-making process:

We build a trusting relationship with each child
We help children learn to identify and understand their own feelings and those of others
We teach children to manage strong emotions and regulate their behaviors
We view conflicts as opportunities for creative problem-solving
We model empathy and respect for other
We partner with parents to support the development of their children
We provide responsive, individualized childcare and education

Developmentally Appropriate:

We meet children where they are
We respect the whole child
We value process over product
We provide open-ended activities that all children can access
We set goals that are challenging and achievable
We create caring, supportive and fun classrooms
We respect and celebrate the individual differences of the children in our care

Content Rich:

We model ways for children to care for themselves and others
We ask lots of questions
We build speaking and listening skills through stories, pretend play, and music
We create a print- rich environment and foster a love of reading
We discover mathematical relationships through exploring number, size, patterns and shapes
We explore nature in our local community
We create art in different ways and with many types of objects and materials
We learn about each other’s families, languages, customs and cultures

Child Centered/Emergent:

We value the passion of each child
We believe in active, “hands on” learning
We plan activities that are relevant to children’s interests
We build upon children’s strengths
We support children’s emerging skills
We partner with parents to support the development of their children
We help children think about what and how they are learning

Our Programs

Early Learning Center

Delivers quality education and nurturing child care for infants, toddlers and preschoolers. Pre-K readiness for children moving on to kindergarten.

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Counseling & Consultation

Provides counseling and support services to families, children, and pregnant and parenting teens as they address current challenges as well as past traumas.

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